2015-01-02 Hydro is refunding the failed installation fee if the expired meter is exchanged

1) A very important document by Dr. Pall, in which he says among other things that smeters should be abolished. This should be circulated widely, to MLAs, MPs, to health officials like Perry Kendall and his successor, and with your doctors.

[Pulsing digital] “Smart meters” should be abolished because they use short high-intensity pulses of microwave radiation. We know from the nanosecond pulse studies [that these pulses] can be very damaging and act via VGCC activation, with activation continuing long after the pulse has ceased (7). It has been known for over 30 years that short microwave pulses can cause massive cellular damage (57). Until we have some biological measures of “smart meter” effects, it is foolhardy in my view to continue using them.

2) This article reminds us that progress is being made in clean energy, and that dinosaurs like BC Hydro are caught in the spiral which ultimately will make them extinct. This is just one reason why Site C is such a horrible idea: Spending good money on a disastrous idea.

3) In Florida smeters are being tested that supposedly will relay a warning when there is a problem with the base which belongs to the homeowner. The utility would then tell the homeowner that he must make the repairs at his expense or lose power. Cute. They put something into the base that doesn’t belong there and when there is a problem, it’s not their responsibility. I wonder if this would stand up in court. You can bet this will be Hydro’s response, too, although I don’t think the ITRON smeter is that sophisticated. It’s up to the customer to detect a problem – flickering lights, melted smeter, fire.

“the customer-owned electrical meter enclosure is about to need repairs that could result in power problems and probable damage to the meter itself,”

An ad for installers that was sent to me from Florida, said the average installer would do 100 exchanges a day, but some do as many as 200+. This means on average over an 8 hour day a meter exchange takes 4.8 min, not considering travel time. How on earth could an inexperienced installer (getting maybe 8 hours training) check a base and do the exchange on a live meter in less than 4 minutes (-.8 min for travel)? This is one reason there have been so many failures. Cheap labour installing a cheap device.

4) Hydro is offering people a refund of the $65 failed installation charge upon exchange of the expired meter. Please see a letter to a member (below). Notice that Hydro commits to having an installer knock at the door before beginning work. Many people have not received this notice from an installer; most don’t have an obstructions – but some are told by Hydro that the exchange wasn’t done because of a sign saying “Do not install a smart meter” was on the home. Any default fee, charged under circumstances that do not jive with Hydro’s statement below, should be challenged. And remember, the power should be turned off at the circuit box. Exchanging a meter under power is dangerous and no qualified person would suggest otherwise.
5) A fire in Texas that sounds like many in BC. I bet the cause will go down as “undetermined.”

6) In 2014 a very significant statement was issued by the US Dept of Interior, saying that the Federal Communications Commission’s RF exposure guideline (the equivalent of Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 ) is inadequate and obsolete. As far as I know, this has been ignored by all the authorities.

Thank you for your December 19, 2014 email regarding BC Hydro’s Smart Metering Program. We were unable to reach you by telephone on December 24, 2014 when we attempted to contact you to discuss your concerns regarding the Failed Installation Fee.

During the Meter Choice Program, you defaulted to keep a legacy meter at your premises; however, the legacy meter #### expired in 2013. When the accuracy seal expires, the meter must be removed from service. BC Hydro will replace the meter with another old legacy meter as long as existing stock lasts.

We are prepared to reverse and credit your BC Hydro account #—— the Failed Installation Charge in the amount of $65.00 once we complete the legacy meter exchange at your premises XXXXXX. The replacement old meter will have either a digital display or an analog display. While digital meters have a digital display, they do not contain any communication radios and are not the same as radio-off smart meters. You can check what kind of BC Hydro meter is installed at your residence by looking at the meter guide (“BC Hydro Meters – At a Glance”) available at www.bchydro.com/meterchoices.

All meter installers working for BC Hydro are fully qualified to perform meter exchanges. An electrician is not required to exchange a meter. If you wish to have an electrician onsite during the exchange you may do so at your own expense. Please ensure to contact BC Hydro by telephone at 1-800-409-8199 to make the necessary arrangements for your electrician to be on site at the time of the meter exchange.

Here’s what you can expect:

Typically, meter installation will take place Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. PST.

Meter installers will have BC Hydro logos on their trucks and uniforms, and photo identification badges.

Installers will knock on your door before starting any work.

You don’t need to be home, as long as we have safe and clear access to the BC Hydro meter – please remove any physical barriers that prevent a meter exchange.

In most cases, the exchange will take less than 10 minutes.

You will experience a brief power interruption, in most cases it will last 60 seconds. If you have any critical equipment that requires constant power, please double check to make sure that your back-up power supply is working properly. We apologize for any inconvenience.

According to the terms of service outlined in the Electric Tariff, customers must provide clear, unobstructed access to BC Hydro’s equipment, including meters. If BC Hydro or authorized installers are denied access to our meter, or prevented from completing a planned exchange, a $65.00 failed installation charge will be added to the customer’s bill.